With news of the US beta of Final Fantasy XI coming to an end tomorrow and a PC retail date in roughly two weeks time, many RPG fans are waiting with bated breath to set foot into the world of Vana'diel for the very first time. Though it saddens me to think that PS2 owners will have to wait until March of next year to foray into Square Enix's virtual world, they'll have much to enjoy when the wait is finally over.

To commemorate the end of beta and the impending release of Final Fantasy XI, we've put together a very special feature for you with the help of our friends at Square Enix. As we've previously reported, the domestic release of Final Fantasy XI for the PC and PS2 will also include the expansion Rise of the Zilart in addition to the regular game. The expansion builds upon an already solid gameplay foundation, adding new areas, jobs and quests. More importantly the expansion includes a continuation of the incredible storyline laid out in the original game.

Today we bring you but a glimpse of this high-end experience in Vana'diel, and hope you find the articles and images both informative and insightful. Many thanks to our editorial contemporaries who also participated in the tour, and a very special thanks to Sonia and Kyoko from Square Enix; without them, none of this would have been possible.

For those of us at RPGFan, our experiences with the Final Fantasy XI US beta have been memorable, and we look forward to seeing you all online in the coming months.